Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Shepherd's pie is the ultimate all-in-one dish. It's got everything you could ask for in a meal: hearty meat, starchy potatoes, colorful veggies, and gooey cheese. It's no wonder why the Allrecipes community has given this recipe over 1,500 5-star reviews. This shepherd's pie comes together in less than an hour and is sure to be your new favorite casserole.

Shepherd's pie is a comfort food casserole that originated in England. Traditionally, it's made with minced meat (usually ground lamb), gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. You may also hear it called "cottage pie." While the terms are often used interchangeably, traditional shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb, and cottage pie is made with ground beef.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef or lamb
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 5 carrots, chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• cup beef broth

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Gather all your ingredients to ensure you have everything ready before starting.

Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cubed potatoes and cook for about 15 minutes, or until they are tender but still firm. Drain the potatoes and mash them. Stir in the butter, finely chopped onion, and cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Step 3: In another large pot of salted water, add the chopped carrots. Cook them for about 15 minutes until they are tender but firm. Drain, mash, and set them aside as well.

Step 4: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it's translucent.

Step 5: Add the ground beef (or lamb) to the pan with the onions. Cook the meat until it is well browned. Once browned, drain off any excess fat.

Step 6: Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a thick paste. Add the ketchup and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens to a gravy-like consistency.

Step 7: In a 2-quart casserole dish, spread the cooked ground beef mixture in an even layer at the bottom.

Step 8: Next, spread the mashed carrots evenly over the beef layer.

Step 9: Carefully spread the mashed potato mixture on top of the carrots, smoothing it out with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining shredded Cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 10: Bake the shepherd's pie in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Step 11: Once baked, remove the shepherd's pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy your homemade shepherd's pie, packed with comforting flavors!

What Goes With Shepherd's Pie?

Shepherd's pie is so hearty that it doesn't need a side dish. However, if you're in the mood for something extra, a light side salad or a vegetable dish would complement the meal nicely.

How to Store Shepherd's Pie

Store leftover shepherd's pie in an airtight in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

How to Freeze Shepherd's Pie

To freeze shepherd's pie, wrap the completely cooled dish (in the casserole dish) with plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Using a disposable foil baking dish makes this step easier. You can freeze it for up to three months. To reheat, defrost in the fridge overnight and bake in the oven until hot.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1/6 of the recipe):

• Calories: 452
• Fat: 17g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Protein: 23g
• Sodium: 295mg
• Dietary Fiber: 7g
• Vitamin C: 53mg
• Calcium: 128mg
• Iron: 4mg
• Potassium: 1443mg

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your calorie needs.

Tips and Praise from the Community

Outstanding! I am British and have been making Shepherd's Pie for years. This recipe is savory and very satisfying. I added mushrooms and corn, and the mashed carrots were a great touch! This will definitely be a staple in my house. AnimalCrackers

This recipe is great! Leftovers are delicious, and I even froze some for later. I added corn to the meat mixture. You can easily add any other veggies you have on hand. Allrecipes Community Member

My whole family loves this! It's perfect for a cozy, rainy night dinner. I added Worcestershire sauce to the beef after draining it, and I used a little milk in the mashed potatoes. I didnt mash the carrots but layered them directly on top of the beef. It turned out perfectly. Amy Jarvis